Quick and Easy 4-Ingredient Homemade Artisan Bread
The pandemic may be behind us and you may or may not have jumped on that homemade sourdough starter / bread train, but I am here to tell you that as a very tired mom of 3 under 6, this recipe is fool-proof, quick, easy, and only takes 4 ingredients (including water and salt!).
The pandemic may be behind us and you may or may not have jumped on that homemade sourdough starter / bread train, but I am here to tell you that as a very tired mom of 3 under 6, this recipe is fool-proof, quick, easy, and only takes 4 ingredients (including water and salt!).
PREP: 10 ish minutes
COOK: 45 minutes
TOTAL: 13 to 17 hours
SERVINGS: 1 loaf
INGREGIENTS:
1/2 teaspoon yeast
1 and 1/2 cups water (plus a little more, just in case)
3 cups flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
Add 1 and 1/2 cups of water into a bowl with yeast and stir — no need to wait for yeast to be ‘activated’ as this is a slow rise recipe.
Add flour and salt. Mix well until dough has come together and all ingredients are well incorporated. You may need to add a dash more water at this point. Dough should be sticky and form a ball in the bowl.
I use my hands to mix!
Cover with towel and let it rise for 12 to 16 hours.
Note. If you are not going to be able to bake within that time frame, you can put the dough in the fridge for an even slower rise time.
Once dough has had time to rise, put parchment paper inside your dutch oven and place that inside your oven as it preheats to 450º.
Can also use a baking sheet, pizza stone, bread oven — really anything that is oven-friendly!
Once fully heated, place dough in your parchment paper lined dutch oven and cover for 30 minutes and let bake.
Remove lid and let bake for another 15 minutes.
Bon Appétit!
Pride Shabbat 2024
Last month, I was asked by my Rabbi if I would prepare a Dvar Torah — or sermon — for the first Friday of June, otherwise known as Pride Shabbat. Aside from the extreme honor it was to be asked, it was also a no brainer. If you’ve been following us long enough, you know that we live by the words “visibility matters” — so of course I said yes!
Last month, I was asked by my Rabbi if I would prepare a Dvar Torah — or sermon — for the first Friday of June, otherwise known as Pride Shabbat. Aside from the extreme honor it was to be asked, it was also a no brainer. If you’ve been following us long enough, you know that we live by the words “visibility matters” — so of course I said yes!
Before I share my speech, I wanted to quickly dive into what a Dvar Torah is. Dvar Torah literally means "word of Torah" and is like a little nugget of wisdom . And it isn't just about reciting ancient words. It's about making those words come alive in today's world. It's like taking a timeless message and giving it a modern twist, kind of like updating an old recipe with some new spices to make it pop!
So, whether you're sharing a Dvar Torah at a Shabbat dinner, a study group, or even just with a friend over a cup of tea, it's all about connecting with each other through the wisdom of the Torah and finding meaning in our everyday lives. It's like having a heart-to-heart chat with a dear friend who just happens to be thousands of years old!
We begin this Shabbat — the first of Pride month — entering a new book of the Torah, the Book of Numbers, and this week’s parsha, Bamidbar, or “in the wilderness”. The Israelites, poised on the edge of the wilderness, are meticulously counted by tribe and family.
But what about those who don't fit neatly into a category? What about those who are impaired physically or mentally? What about those who are temporarily out of commission due to an injury or those who have an invisible chronic health issue? What about those who were born into a family of mixed Tribes, say Benjamin and Judah. While both tribes share religion, land, and traditions, Judah's political prominence and Benjamin's warrior reputation give them separate identities.
No one wants to be put into a group or category permanently. We are beings who evolve over time, ever-changing, growing, and shifting through phases of life.
So then what about the one whose identity dances between groups, defying classification? What about the queer Jew, the one whose identity stands out from the expected norm?
For those of you who may not know me, my name is Sydney Sharon. I am a proud member of this temple, joining just over three years ago when my daughter turned 2 and began at the preschool. I am also a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. I am a proud Jew. And I am a very proud mama.
When my wife and I were given this incredible opportunity to write this week’s Dvar Torah and share our personal experiences of being gay jews navigating this world’s landscape, it was a no brainer for us. For if there is one code we live by in and out of our home, it’s that visibility matters.
So, if you’re wondering what makes our story so special or how our story relates to Bamidbar, give me another few minutes, and I promise it will be worth it.
This parsha, with its emphasis on counting and order as well as the wild-ness of one’s journey — both physically and in reality, but also the internal struggle of what it means to be wild and perhaps barren — can feel particularly isolating and lonely for those who don't see themselves reflected in the traditional framework. How does one who exists outside these established societal norms navigate the terrain?
A closer look into the parsha reveals a deeper message — a message that perhaps can shed light on and provide hope and possibilities to the intersectionality of what it means to be BOTH gay and Jewish, otherwise finding a new category or tribe to fit comfortably in.
On the one hand, the wilderness is often perceived and referred to as a barren wasteland. But there is also the other side of that coin, which holds the potential for profound transformation. The act of wandering, of being untethered, can lead to a deeper connection with oneself, with God, or with your tribe and family. For the wilderness can be a place where old structures fall, and new opportunities emerge.
For the queer Jew, too, exists in their own kind of wilderness, both outwardly and inside. Navigating societal expectations, religious interpretations, and personal desires can often feel like wandering through an uncharted territory.
But here's the beauty: The Torah itself acknowledges the existence of those who stand out. Take the tribe of Levi. Unlike the other tribes who received designated territories in the Land of Israel, the Levites were not allotted their own land. Instead, The Levites were entrusted with the sacred duty of serving the Mishkan, or traveling Temple, during the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness. I wonder what it was like to be able to wander from tribe to tribe, being welcomed into all, but still somehow, not part of one, not at the core. Always an outsider while also simultaneously being a fleeting insider — a dichotomy of ambivalent fitting in-ness. So perhaps, the Levites, unmoored from a fixed location, represent the fluidity of identity, the ability to move and adapt while still holding sacred space.
Similarly, the queer Jew carries a unique kind of sacred space. Their lived experience, their perspective that challenges the norm, can bring fresh insights to traditions. Their very existence pushes us to question our assumptions, to consider the expansiveness of what it means to be part of the Jewish tapestry.
The wilderness, then, becomes a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery. It's in the questioning, the wrestling with customs and rituals, that a queer Jew can find their own authentic expression of Judaism.
Think of Miriam, Moses' sister. In the wilderness, she leads the women in song and dance, a celebration outside the established order. Her act, sometimes interpreted as rebellion, can also be seen as an expansion of the Jewish experience, a recognition of the many voices that contribute to the journey.
Bamidbar reminds us that God's presence resides not just in the established structures, but also in the margins, in the unexpected places. The queer Jew, standing out in the wilderness, can be a powerful reminder of that very truth. Their unique perspective can illuminate new pathways, enriching the ongoing conversation that is Judaism.
So, this Shabbat, let us not just count, but celebrate the richness of experience within our community. Let us embrace the wilderness, the space for questioning and growth, where each Jew, queer or not, can find their own place to stand and sing their sacred song.
Yummiest, Creamiest, Easy Peanut Sesame Noodles with Salmon
I grew up eating sesame peanut noodles and together with my mom, we have perfected the yummiest, creamiest, most satisfying peanut sesame noodles. Some of our secrets? Adding milk and using crunchy peanut butter!
I grew up eating sesame peanut noodles and together with my mom, we have perfected the yummiest, creamiest, most satisfying peanut sesame noodles. Some of our secrets? Adding milk and using crunchy peanut butter!
PREP: 10 ish minutes
COOK: 35 ish minutes
TOTAL: 45 ish minutes
SERVINGS: 4 servings
INGREGIENTS:
1 lb spaghetti (or your favorite noodle: pad thai, soba, etc.)
4 tbsp soy sauce
6 tbsp crunchy peanut butter
2 tsp fresh grated ginger
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
4 tbsp milk
4 tsp minced garlic
4 tbsp sesame oil
1.5 - 2 lbs salmon
Salt, pepper, and garlic powder for seasoning the salmon
Green onion for garnish
Crushed red chili peppers or crunchy chili oil for some spicy garnish.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 300º. Pat dry the salmon. Spray with avocado or olive oil, both sides, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Put salmon in oven, skin side down, for about 25 minutes. We are cooking her low and slow!
When salmon is done cooking (about 125º internal temperature), turn salmon over for skin side up, and broil until crispy.
Bring noodles to a boil in a large pot of water according to packaged directions.
Whisk together the soy sauce, peanut butter, ginger, rice wine vinegar, garlic, milk, and sesame oil in a sauce pan and bring to a simmer. If you need to add additional milk to make into a creamy sauce, add. Remove from heat.
Drain noodles. Pour MOST of the sauce over the noodles and toss until noodles are fully covered. RESERVE some sauce for the salmon.
Plate your noodles. Add salmon. Top with additional peanut sesame sauce. Garnish with green onion.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
This has become my new go-to whenever someone isn’t feeling well. Think the Greek version of the traditional Jewish matzo ball soup. This is our new penicillin. And it’s so flavorful, easy and quick to make, and healthy to boot!
This has become my new go-to whenever someone isn’t feeling well. Think the Greek version of the traditional Jewish matzo ball soup. This is our new penicillin. And it’s so flavorful, easy and quick to make, and healthy to boot!
PREP: 10 ish minutes
COOK: 45 ish minutes
TOTAL: 55 ish minutes
SERVINGS: 4 to 6 servings
INGREGIENTS:
3 medium to large carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tbsp butter (I prefer salted for this recipe)
1 tbsp oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
6 cups chicken bone broth (you can use stock, too, but I prefer the extra protein boost)
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
1.5 to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup orzo
Juice of 2 lemons
2 egg yolks
Spinach, optional
Salt and pepper to taste
Dill or parsley to taste and garnish, optional
INSTRUCTIONS:
Sauté carrots and onions with the butter and oil in a large stock / soup pot for about 7 to 10 minutes, or until soft and translucent.
Stir in garlic and cook for another minute. Then add bay leaves, broth, chicken, and Italian seasoning and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce flame to summer for 15 minutes.
Take out bay leaves and chicken. Add orzo to pot and continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Shred chicken and add back to pot.
While orzo is cooking, whisk egg yolks and lemon juice in a small bowl. Take 1 to 2 ladles of soup and pour over egg-lemon mixture to temper it. Add into soup pot and continue to cook for 5 minutes.
Add spinach, optional.
Stir in dill or parsley if desired. Adjust salt and pepper and serve hot.
Optional. Garnish with additional dill / parsley.
Top Must Have Items for Your Baby Registry as A Mom of 3
Having done this three times, I can honestly say that there is very little baby needs and oh so much the world has invented and created and marketed that will make you feel both like you need it all while also feeling completely overwhelmed. Couple my experience with this relatively new found passion I have for Waldorf education and its ideology, and I now have, what I believe, is the ‘real’ baby registry list.
Having done this three times, I can honestly say that there is very little baby needs and oh so much the world has invented and created and marketed that will make you feel both like you need it all while also feeling completely overwhelmed. Couple my experience with this relatively new found passion I have for Waldorf education and its ideology, and I now have, what I believe, is the ‘real’ baby registry list.
I will not be including nursery furniture. None of my kids had a nursery. None of them slept in a crib. We bed-shared with all of them until they transitioned into a floor bed. And FYI, the cost of those crib mattresses … just as expensive as a full mattress. And for the rest of the decor like a changing table with dresser or a glider / rocking chair, just pick what works best for you! You really can’t go wrong with a set of drawers or a comfy chair to rock your babe in.
Now let’s get to it!
CAR SEAT AND STROLLER
You need this. It’s as simple as that. I have had expensive, top of the line infant car seats and I have had not-as-expensive, more accessible car seats. And ultimately, I found that the more high end ones just less clunky, in aesthetics, functionality, and features. My top faves for infant car seats are the UPPAbaby Mesa V2 Infant Car Seat, the Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna Car Seat, or the Nuna Pipa™. And for those that are on baby #2 (or 3 … 4…) who may already have the infant car seat from a previous baby and now are in the market for a convertible car seat, I LOVE the Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat or the Nuna Rava (non rotating).
As for a stroller, you’ll need to figure out what is important to you when it comes to features and functionalities, and I would stick to:
Bugaboo
Nuna
UPPAbaby
Features and functions you will want to consider when doing a stroller comparison chart:
How many potential kids do you want? How soon do you want another baby? How easily do you want to make your stroller convert into a double?
City or rural? Think about your wheels. Cobblestones, pavement, wooded areas. Is hiking part of your every day? The BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Jogging Stroller may be right for you if you are an avid hiker / runner / plan on being outdoors primarily.
Your size. Your partner’s size (if applicable). How heavy or compact of a stroller can you handle? What car are you driving? Is it easily foldable? Can you lift it on your own?
Do you want an all-in-one stroller that may be more compact so you can use it for travel? Do you want a separate travel stroller?
Any other features you are interested in like a bassinet?
HIGHCHAIR
The Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair is going to be your favorite item! It’s not just beautiful — it’s functional and developmentally sound for your growing baby. Plus, you can get the newborn seat add on so your little one can be at dinner time with the rest of the family.
BABY SWING
This was a must for all three of my very different babies — and all of them loved the Graco DuetSoothe® Swing and Rocker — and I’ve tried all the swings! We had three different ones in the house at one point. But the Graco was consistent. It rocks side to side and front to back. You can detach the swing and take it with you (to the bathroom, lets say, when you need to shower / bathe) and it can rock. It’s on the clunky side, but worth it. My babies used it until they were about 9 months old.
ACTIVITY CENTER
I was told to stay away from activity centers that allowed the baby to bounce — to be extra alert on hip placement and how things you buy for baby may or may not affect their hip development. Which is why I fell in love with the Skip Hop Baby Activity Center. We have had it since Thea was born and it is still in pristine condition. It’s easy to clean and it’s easy to grow with baby. This is a top favorite item in our home.
BABY CARRIER
I am a fan of soft and structured baby carriers. I have had self-wraps and the Original Baby K'tan Baby Carrier, and prefer the K’tan time and time again. I uses this when baby is a newborn and I am around the house.
I also love the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini (in cotton) for more outings with my newborn. It provides more structure and is the easiest thing to use! This was around when my baby borther was born (in 1997) and is tried and true.
And once your little one gets bigger, my all time favorite baby carrier is the Happy Baby Revolution Carrier. I am not too sure what else to say — it’s just the best thing ever made.
SAFETY
We love our Nanit baby camera. We’ve had it since Thea was born and have never had an issue in 5+ years. We also bought their travel system and it works seamlessly. In addition to the baby camera, we also love our Hatch white noice machine. But it does so much more than that! It’s an alarm clock, night light, helps with toddler sleep wake times, and has a backup battery for those power outages.
SWADDLES + CLOTHES
The only thing I really want to share here are some brands to look into. The bamboo, stretch material will be your best friend when it comes to swaddles. I hated all the velcro “easy” ones and found that learning to swaddle was easy and sweet moments in my day. My top faves are:
Lou Lou and Company — Swaddles, Gowns
Posh Peanut — Swaddles, Gowns, Matching Family PJs
And for clothes, you can’t go wrong. Tiny clothes are cute. I don’t care if it’s from Target, Old Navy, Zara, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Tea Collection. It’s all cute. But do keep in mind that they grow fast and explosive newborn poop does not discriminate and it does stain. With all of that in mind, I also highly recommend Magnetic Me baby clothes.
The Best, Easiest, Yummiest Shakshuka Recipe
This is a traditional shakshuka recipe — and it has been approved by both my Israeli wife and my Israeli-Iraqi father-in-law. So you know this is going to be good! And — it’s ready within 30 minutes.
This is a traditional shakshuka recipe — and it has been approved by both my Israeli wife and my Israeli-Iraqi father-in-law. So you know this is going to be good!
PREP: 10 ish minutes
COOK: 20 ish minutes
TOTAL: 30 ish minutes
SERVINGS: 4 to 6 servings
INGREGIENTS:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 shallots, diced (sub for 1 medium onion)
1/2 bag of sweet mini bell peppers, dices (sub for 1 red bell pepper, diced)
4 garlic cloves, minced / chopped
2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon chili powder (optional for spice)
1 28-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
4 to 6 large eggs
Salt and pepper, to taste
Cilantro or parsley for garnish, optional
INSTRUCTIONS:
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium heat. Add the chopped mini bell peppers and shallots and cook for 5 minutes or until the shallots becomes translucent.
Add garlic and spices and cook an additional minute.
Pour the can of tomatoes and juice into the pan and mix. Season with salt and pepper and bring the sauce to a simmer.
Use a large spoon to make small wells in the sauce and crack the eggs into each well. Cook the eggs for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the eggs are done to your liking. You can also cover the pan with a lid to expedite the eggs cooking.
Optional. Garnish with chopped cilantro and parsley before serving.
Self-Care in a Box
We all know how important self-care is, especially as parents. And I feel like often as the primary parent, I will put my me-time on the back burner, usually to be forgotten until my fuse has run out. Well, the good news is, Brit has found a way to not only make sure my mental health and wellbeing are taken care of but has figured out how to present it to me in my love language: gifts!
We all know how important self-care is, especially as parents. And I feel like often as the primary parent, I will put my me-time on the back burner, usually to be forgotten until my fuse has run out.
Well, the good news is, Brit has found a way to not only make sure my mental health and wellbeing are taken care of but has figured out how to present it to me in my love language: gifts!
Enter TheraBox! TheraBox aims to inspire happier lives through practical joy-boosting activities and thoughtful self-care products! After all, self-care = self-love. With over $120 worth of retail value in every subscription box, you can now receive a monthly present as low as $30.99. Or perhaps you just need a little pick-me-up every now and again. TheraBox has one-time gifts and past boxes that ship immediately from their Happy Shoppe. From mindful activities and journals to soothing aromatherapy and essential oils, you can expect curated boxes that will leave you inspired, relaxed, and taken care of!
And the best part? You, my friends, can get 10% off your first order with promo code THESHARONMOMS10. To take advantage of my summer box, which ships ASAP, or to explore the other boxes, be sure to head to TheraBox.com today.
My Summer Box has everything I need — and then some! Living in SoCal, it is summer 75% of the year. And this summer, we are struggling with mosquitos. SO between the scorching sun and extra yucky bug bites, this box has kept me feeling refreshed and calm.
Why California Cryobank
When Brit and I first began actively planning for our family, our first hurdle to overcome was figuring out the who, how, and where. Who would be our sperm donor? How would we find him? Where do we look?
When Brit and I first began actively planning for our family, our first hurdle to overcome was figuring out the who, how, and where. Who would be our sperm donor? How would we find him? Where do we look?
Should we ask someone we know? Should we use a sperm bank? Although we did toy with the idea of using a known donor, we both felt strongly that using an accredited sperm bank would ultimately be in the best interest of us and our future kids. Why? Because we knew going third party would mean that the donors would be medically vetted and that all parties would be legally protected.
The next hurdle was finding the right sperm bank. Surprisingly, there was a lot to choose from. There isn’t one universal bank for all. And luckily for us, living in Los Angeles gave us access to some very reputable ones quite literally at our fingertips. After hours of Google searches and phone and text conversations with our familial network, choosing California Cryobank (CCB) was one of the easier choices we would ultimately be making.
CCB has been around for more than 40 years and is an internationally known and reputable sperm bank. Their donor database is more than extensive, with only 1% of donor applicants being accepted. That means 99% of potential donors get rejected - they only offer the best of the best! Furthermore, CCB’s customer service team was always available and understanding, compassionate, and warm. They held our hand and made us feel “normal” in what we were anticipating being anything but.
Okay…so far we had figured out that we are going to use an unknown donor through CCB. The next obstacle for us was finding our perfect match. CCB has one of the largest and most diverse selection of donors in the world, giving us a plethora of options. So how did we narrow down the hundreds of options? We filtered donors based on height, hair color, and blood type. We are both 5’7 and the men in our family are all over 6’, so height was important to us. We all have brown hair and knew that we wanted our donor to match that, too. And most importantly, we wanted our donor to have the same blood type as one of us, in case there were ever circumstances where our children would need medical attention. This was the biggest factor for us. This narrowed our search to less than a dozen potential donors. We understand that there are a billion possibilities of DNA sequences and nothing was guaranteed, but that’s where we started. From there, we reviewed their medical histories, flipped through baby photos, and found our match.
Once we agreed and picked our donor, we had to figure out how many vials we wanted. We were advised that the average vials needed per successful IUI with a fertile and healthy woman, was 5. And if we were committed to having the same donor for all of our children, that we would multiply 5 by the number of potential children we wanted. Well, in our dream world, we would have 4 children. That means 20 vials – and vials are not cheap. Thanks to our family and friends giving us a generous nest egg as wedding gifts a few years prior, we knew we saved specifically for sperm.
Fortunately for us, CCB is located just a few miles away from our fertility doctor. On the days leading up to each of our inseminations, we were able to call CCB ahead of time and pick up our vial of sperm and bring it to our doctor to prepare.
Between CCB’s global reputation, applicant screening process, and customer support, it was a no-brainer for us to choose them as our sperm bank. And now that we are on the other side of this parenthood journey, we are so excited and giddy to share with you access to a 90-day Level 2 subscription to CCB’s donor profiles with the promotion code SHARONMOMS.
Do you have more questions for us about our journey to motherhood? Send us a message! We’d love to hear from you and use your questions to help guide our next post.
Let’s Go There with Channel Q & RADIO.COM
We had an amazing opportunity recently to be interviewed by Shira Lazar, host of Let’s Go There on Channel Q & RADIO.COM, about our journey to parenthood. We spoke about how and why we chose the California Cryobank as well as what we were looking for in a sperm donor.
We had an amazing opportunity recently to be interviewed by Shira Lazar, host of Let’s Go There on Channel Q & RADIO.COM, about our journey to parenthood. We spoke about how and why we chose California Cryobank as well as what we were looking for in a sperm donor.
If you are looking to explore which cryobank is right for you or you already know California Cryobank (CCB) is your choice, use our promo code SHARONMOMS to receive a 90 day Level 2 Subscription access to donor profiles.
Baby Registry Must Haves and Other Things to Know for the First Time Mommy
We have compiled a list of all the baby registry must-have items, including a few other good-to-know items, for first-time mommies. From strollers and car seats to baby food brands and our favorite places to shop for clothes, we’ve got you covered!
Stroller. I have two for this category: one for the first time mommy and one for the mommy with the second one on the way. First up, is the UPPAbaby® VISTA V2 Stroller. It comes in MANY different colors to appease all mamas and has the sweetest bassinet to either push your new babe in or to attach to the UPPAbaby® Bassinet Stand. It is one of the pricier strollers on the market, but their safety standards, designs, and flexibility to turn into a double stroller + an attached skateboard for kiddo number 3 makes this the ideal all-in-one stroller. The other stroller, a current staple, and favorite in our home, is Zoe’s The Twin Stroller. We have the Luxe version for a whopping $345. It is a side-by-side stroller that folds with one hand, weighs less than 20 lbs, fits through standard doorways, and also comes in a slew of colors.
Stroller Accessories. I am a huge fan of the UPPAbaby® VISTA/CRUZ Reversible Seat Liner. It creates that extra barrier between your kiddo and the stroller seat, keeping your stroller looking a little bit cleaner and a lot easier to clean. I also fully swear by the UPPAbaby® Snack Tray. 10/10 your babe is going to want to eat and snack and drink while being pushed around.
Car Seat. Did you know that you are going to need two of these? No, not two of the same thing (although you totally could do that if you know multiple people are going to be driving your little one around). You will need an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Granted most convertible car seats are safe for infants, you will want one of each. The infant car seat lets you transfer your sleeping baby from riding in the car into the stroller or the house without having to physically remove him/her. So for the infant car seat, I recommend the one that is compatible with the stroller mentioned in #1. the UPPAbaby® MESA Infant Car Seat. Similar to the way how all Apple products are simpatico with one another, so is the UPPAbaby® brand. For the convertible car seat, which you wont really need until your little one is closer to 1 year of age, we are huge fans of the Nuna RAVA™ Convertible Car Seat. We bought ours at Nordstrom during the Anniversary Sale. It goes on a great sale and it’s worth jumping on, even if your babe is still a newborn.
Car Accessories. You will need to install a backseat mirror so you can keep an eye on your babe while driving. I recommend either one of these. We (my wife and I) each have one, purely to match the interior of our cars. If you have a beige or gray (or other light colored interior), then I love the BRITAX Back Seat Mirror; if you have a black interior, go for the SKIP*HOP Style Driven Backseat Mirror. The only other carseat related accessory we recommend is a seat protector. It’s another one of those little things that adds a barrier between the car seat (aka, your kid, snacks, feet on the seats, etc.) and your car’s interior. We love the Prince Lionheart® 2-Stage Seatsaver, and it comes in black, beige, and gray.
Playards & Portable Beds. There are definitely a handful of must-have items in this category. For us, co-sleeping with our babies was a priority, but that’s a whole other blog post. In short, we knew having our babies in bed with us was important, so we wanted something to accommodate that. WIth our first, we had and used the DockATot® Deluxe+ Dock. It worked great for us and Thea. When it was time to transition into the larger size, we just couldn’t rationalize spending another $300 for the DockATot® Grand Dock, when their competitor, SnuggleMe, had the same thing for half the price. The Snuggle Me Organic Toddler Lounger is super yummy and comes in beautiful, earthy colors. We wound up selling our smaller DockATot® when we had Nathan and bought the Snuggle Me Organic Infant Lounger. It also helps that the Snuggle Me loungers are 100% easier to clean and buying additional Snuggle Me covers are significantly cheaper than DockATot® options. The other lounger we invested in and LOVE is the Boppy® "Hello Baby" Newborn Lounger. It’s portable, easy to clean, affordable, and babies love it, making it a double win-win. Moving right along, when it comes to having a playard, I do suggest having one. They fold up to nothing if you aren’t using it, but it gives you that extra changing table or bassinet or play area in your home that is confined so you know your child is safe. It’s definitely a ‘luxury’ item, but this is what your registry is for! We have some variation of the 4moms® Breeze® Plus Playard, as this is their newer model. The 4moms® brand has really carved a space in the babysphere for sleek meets tech baby gear. I love that I can change my baby’s diaper, put them to sleep in the bassinet as a newborn, and have them sit and play in the larger section as they get bigger. It is one of the pricier items on a registry, but it also grows with your family. I think it’s worth the investment.
Baby Carriers. Oh boy! This is one of my favorite categories. I didn’t wear Thea as much as I thought I was going to and I am for sure carrying Nathan around what feels like 100% of the time. Because I have to wear Nathan so I can still be hands free and available to Thea, I have FINALLY mastered using the wraps. It takes patience. A lot of patience. But once you get it, it just makes sense and feels like second nature. So when it comes to baby carriers, I recommend three…maybe four. It sounds crazy, but hear me out.
First, I think you need a wrap. I found Behold Baby when I was visiting my best friend in Phoenix. We stumbled on a handmade market in Gilbert, Arizona. They have the softest baby carriers (and swaddles) and you are supporting a women owned small business.
The next carrier I swear by is the BABYBJÖRN® Baby Carrier Mini. It’s beyond easy to learn to use, can be worn when your little one is an infant without any inserts, and is sleek and the complete opposite of bulky. This company and carrier has been a staple for decades, and I truly believe this is a must-have item.
The third carrier I recommend is the Ergobaby™ Four-Position 360 Cool Air Baby Carrier. It’s the bulkiest of them all and can be worn beyond your kid’s first year of life. I prefer the Cool Air line as this is the carrier I use on hikes. The added breathability does wonders for both the kiddo and the one doing the carrying.
Those are three we have and use all the time. The fourth type of carrier is a sling. Many mamas swear by it. I, myself, have not yet figured it out so it’s not one I use, although I do own one. The one I have is the Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Ring Sling. I like that it provides extra padding on your shoulder. The other brand that my friends swear by is the WildBird Ring Sling.
Infant Activity. This is another one of those multi-categories that covers everything from activity centers, swings, and bouncers, to playmats, walkers, and play gyms. As someone who registered for just about everything under the sun with my first, I have come to know these products and found all-in-one items that check many boxes.
First up is the SKIP*HOP® Explore & More 3-Stage Activity Center. Really anything SKIP*HOP® we trust. This activity center has everything you’ll need and is another one of those toys that grows with your kiddo. Next up is the swing. We have tried just about every swing under the sun; from the fancy, expensive brands, to the old but true. Our top pick is the Graco® DuetSoothe™ Swing and Rocker. If you get nothing else, this will be a game changer. It swings your babe in two directions and can also become a portable rocker. We like to pair this with the Ingenuity™ DreamComfort™ Pemberton™ SmartBounce Automatic Bouncer™. Its bouncing features had made both my kiddos very happy.
Moving right along, you will want to have a play gym for your home. We have three. Do you need three? No. Of course not. It’s again the beauty of a registry. You put what you want and see what you get. We happen to love all three of ours for very different reasons and have them placed throughout our home. First up, the Fisher-Price® Deluxe Kick and Play Piano Gym. It’s yet another grow-with-your-kid must have. Next, is the SKIP*HOP® Vibrant Village Smart Lights Baby Play Gym. The black and white contrast with bright, bold colors is perfect for your newborn. Plus the arch lights up and plays music. This third one is an over-the-top, expensive, unnecessary item. BUT, we are the biggest fans of the Lovevery company. This is definitely a want and not a need. Their Play Gym is simply beautiful!
Lastly, we have the walker. This is to help and aid your kiddo along as they transition from a crawler to walker. This is a no brainer, must have. The Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon is beautiful, made of real wood, and acted as a portable book and toy chest. It’s sturdy and will last you a good, long time.
Diaper Bag. This is a fun one. The diaper bag will most likely take over your life and become your new purse. You want something durable, with lots of pockets, washes easily, and has tons of room. As you may begin to see, we are big fans of all things SKIP*HOP®. So it should be no surprise that our number one pick is the SKIP*HOP® Mainframe Wide Open Backpack Diaper Bag. We love the structure it provides, making it easier to be holding your baby with one hand while opening the bag with your spare hand. It’s easy to wipe and clean with a baby wipe and comes in sleek, beautiful colors. And just to give you another option, the RUVALINO Diaper Bag is a top choice among our friends and is an Amazon Top Choice.
We love the Costco Kirkland Diapers. You just cannot beat their pricing. They don’t make newborn sized diapers, so we used the Huggies brand — specifically their Little Snugglers or Special Delivery.
For wipes, we love, love, love, Water Wipes. They are so clean and you can use it on your baby’s face and booty to cleaning up messes else where.
Baby Furniture. This one is a personal choice. Although we registered for and were gifted a crib and dresser for our first, Thea used her crib only a handful of times since we co-slept with her. When we transitioned her out of our bed, we put her straight into a full sized bed. Aside from needing a changing table for sure (a design and element choice that should make you feel happy and complete your nursery), I highly recommend a rocking chair. For Thea, I wanted something super traditional — a wooden rocking chair with a matching ottoman. It looked so cute in the nursery. Then when it came time to use it, I hated it. It was too narrow for nursing and obviously didn’t recline, which I think is a must-have capability for those super late night feeds. We sold the rocking chair and bought the Baby Relax Addison Swivel Gliding Recliner. It rocks, swivels, and reclines. It’s comfortable. Regardless of what you choose, try to find one you can see, feel, and experience in person.
Feeding. This is a big category, and for good reason. There is a lot of stuff here! The things that I feel are the most important for a registry, though, come down to a high chair, dishes and utensils, bibs, and baby food.
We love our Graco® Blossom™ 6-in-1 High Chair in Studio™. It’s not the most beautiful or aesthetically pleasing one out there on the market, but it’s also reasonably priced for all that you’re getting. It’s easy to wheel around the house, it comes with a booster seat (which is great if you are planning on having more than one kid), and most importantly, it easily wipes clean!
For dishes and utensils, I am obsessed with BEABA®. You can buy individual items, or you can buy a set. The silicone makes it easy to heat food up in the microwave and equally easy to clean. It’s also the best product with suction that we have found. Thea only has just now started using the cup that came with the set and she is just about to turn 2, so it’s great to grow with your kiddo. Thea also never used a bottle as an infant, so while I have heard great things about Comotomo Bottles and Tommee Tippee Bottles, we used the Munchkin Latch Anti-Colic Baby Bottle as her water bottle at night. Transitioning from the bottle, we loved the OXO Tot Transitions Straw Cup with Removable Handles. It was great for the house and on-the-go trips. Once she got a little older, we relied on the Hydro Flask 12 oz Kids 2.0 Water Bottle for going out and the Elk and Friends Kids & Toddler Cups from Amazon. We. Are. Obsessed. They are so easy to clean and come with silicone straws that the kiddos can’t pull out. It’s great for water, juice, and smoothies! And to round out the feeding needs, a bib! When Thea first started eating solids, we loved using the Bumkins Sleeved Bib, especially when it came to eating foods that had colors in it (think marinara sauce!). Now that she’s a toddler, we love the Simka Silicone Waterproof Bib Set.
Baby food! We are fans of organic, pure, simple foods with no additives, colors, or flavors. Although I had always envisioned making all of the baby food at home, I was simply too tired. Our favorite brand of baby food is Beech-Nut. Their packaging is great and is marked by Stages based on the age of your kiddo and is easy to find on Amazon, grocery stores, and Target.
Bath and Diapering. This is another category that has a lot of personal choices. However, when it comes to a diaper pail and bath tub, I do happen to believe that the Ubbi Diaper Pail and the Fisher-Price® 4-in-1 Sling 'n Seat Bath Tub are the best ones out there. The diaper pail is made of stainless steel and does NOT require any special bags. We also throw in a bag of potpourri before putting in a trash bag to help minimize the smell. I do also recommend download the app ‘ThinkDirty’ if you are interested in learning about the potentially toxic ingredients in your personal care products. We used it to determine the kids bath time soaps, lotions, and household products. Some of our favorites are: Bubbsi (for shampoo/body wash and body oil/lotion); Burts Bees Baby products; Seventh Generation laundry detergent for babies.
Health and Safety. When it comes to your baby’s health and safety, you want the best.
We are a family that relies heavily on all things Fridababy. Out of everything they have genuously created, we cannot live without their NoseFrida® Snotsucker Saline Kit or their NailFrida the SnipperClipper Nail Clipper, and those two items should absolutely be on your registry, you can also splurge for and essentially get one of everything with their Big Bundle of Joy Newborn Care Kit. Another essential item you will need is a thermometer. We are living in a precarious time where temperatures are being taken daily. We have tried so many brands and types, and the one that works best for our family, from infants to toddlers, is the Braun Thermoscan 7. It’s an ear thermometer, which will give you the best accurary with a wiggly, unhappy happy, and it only needs two seconds to get a reading.
The baby monitor choice, for us, was also a no brainer. We use Nanit to keep eyes on our kiddos. You have a choice of either getting a wall mount or stand, and for an extra $50, you can get a travel mount. It works with an app and is set up through your WiFi. The camera itself also has a sound machine built in, and you can speak through to the app to calm your little one.
For your cleaning needs, we believe in non-toxic ingredients, which narrow downed our list of what we wanted in our home, around our children. For all our cleaning, we use and swear by the Method brand, which is readily available on Amazon. We use their all purpose cleaner and wipes, dishwasher packs, dish soap, and kitchen hand soap (which is also in our bathrooms). Every scent they have is better than the next. You can’t go wrong.
Toys and Learning. Every parent I have ever met, older ones, newer ones, and all those in between, have all made some sort of comment about how their home is/was full of toy clutter. It happens, It’s also hard to find some restraint for your first kiddo. I get it. The toys are cute. And you want to be able to provide the world to your child. We discovered Lovevery. It’s a monthly subscription that brings you thoughtfully crafted, Montessori-inspired play kits. It takes the guess work out of figuring out what toys are best suited for your baby. And — the real wood, cotton toys are beautiful and long-lasting. In addition to the play kits, we also love their Block Set, the Pull Pup, and the Play Tunnel.
Clothes. This is a huge category. There are so many personal preferences when it comes to clothes. So, here is what I have to share. First, ACCEPT HAND ME DOWNS. Second, here some of my favorite kiddo brands:
L’ovedbaby
Lou Lou and Company
Zara
Target - Cat and Jack, specifically
Janie and Jack (pricey, but so stinking cute!)
Old Navy
Gap
Have I missed a category that you would like our recommendation on? Drop us your question in the comments below and we will add our answer to this post.
And remember, at the end of the day, all your baby NEEDS is your unconditional love, food, diapers, and warmth!
Nathan’s Birth Story
My pregnancy with Nathan as a whole was completely different than my pregnancy with Thea. And more than in that they are two different babies, thus each pregnancy will be different. I mean in the sense that exactly halfway into my pregnancy, the world shut down. I was officially having a pregnancy and birth in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The word ‘unprecedented’ became a part of everyday jargon – in conversations with friends … in memes both funny and serious … in texts …
My pregnancy with Nathan as a whole was completely different than my pregnancy with Thea. And more than in that they are two different babies, thus each pregnancy will be different. I mean in the sense that exactly halfway into my pregnancy, the world shut down. I was officially having a pregnancy and birth in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The word ‘unprecedented’ became a part of everyday jargon – in conversations with friends … in memes both funny and serious … in texts …
This was still very early on in my labor. We all had woken up and moved downstairs to the living room so i could have different spaces to labor while also keeping things as normal as possible for thea. during my contractions, she just wanted to lay with me. she was so patient and gentle with me.
This pregnancy was hard. It was hard emotionally. It was hard mentally. It was hard physically. It was hard spiritually. I didn’t get to have Brit by my side during my appointments. I didn’t get to parade around Los Angeles wearing cute, tight-fitting outfits that spotlight my baby bump. I didn’t get to have a traditional baby shower. I didn’t get to go on a babymoon. It sucked. And, it really was all first-world problems of what I didn’t get to have.
This pregnancy was also so special. Because of the lockdown, Brit was home. We had an amazing five months to truly co-parent Thea and watch her grow leaps and bounds during such a critical time developmentally. We spent some serious quality time together as a family of three, cherishing a time that would most likely otherwise be overstepped. I was able to give my heart and soul to Thea while equally having time to just sit and be with Nathan as he grew inside my belly. The silver lining of this pandemic gave me things I never would have otherwise knew I wanted. Our time is valuable, and our family thrived in knowing that and appreciating it.
this is one of my favorite places to labor. and with both babies, my mama jumped right in with me to coach me through my contractions.
With Thea arriving Earthside on her due date and this being my second pregnancy, I was convinced that Nathan would be early. And as anyone who has ever been pregnant will tell you, the last month of pregnancy truly feels like 4,287 days. Add in a pandemic and being quarantined in your home for 5 months, the last weeks leading up to Nathan’s birth took a toll on my mental headspace. As week 39 came to an end and his due date of August 8th quickly came and went, too, I was over it. I was over being pregnant. I was over the heat (hello, global warming). I was over the pre-labor contractions that would keep me up at night but weren’t progressing. I was just done.
I was also super anxious about my water breaking. I felt this same way when I was pregnant with Thea. I don’t know why, but for whatever reason, I get the most anxiety towards the end of my pregnancies with an irrational fear of worrying if and when my water is going to break. Which is so silly since I wasn’t going anywhere anyway since there was no place to go and thus, my water wouldn’t break in some drama-filled fantasy in Aisle 3 of Ralph’s. Ironically, but not really since most waters break while in active labor and not as the first sign of labor, my water broke in the water with Thea and my midwife had to break my water with Nathan, but more on that later.
this was one of many contractions i had while on our 2 mile hike.
Anyways, on Friday, August 14th, as I was getting my things together downstairs to head up to bed, I passed our Alex Show, where in big lettering plastered across the screen read, “Excessive Heat Warning in Calabasas Tomorrow.” Excellent. Another day of crazy, stupid heat while 41 weeks pregnant. I am sure it is to no one’s surprise that I was woken up around 3 am due to cramping. It took me about an hour of being uncomfortable and continuous waking’s to finally come to the realization that I was in early first stage labor.
Now, with Thea’s labor, the first sign of labor began around 11:30 am. By 8:46 pm, she was born. I had a fast and furious labor. It was hard but it moved quickly. My early labor lasted until around 3 pm which was when active labor began. I figured this second time around would be even faster. I was right. And I was wrong.
during my labor with thea, all i wanted was my mom. during my labor with nathan, all i wanted was brit and her touch,
From 3 am until 3 pm, I was in early labor. I was able to eat and nap throughout that time and even went on a 2-mile hike. I ran into neighbors, planned a very last-minute play date for Thea, watched Married At First Sight, and enjoyed deep tissue massage and other midwifery and doula practices to help keep me focused, calm, and relaxed, while encouraging Nathan to move down the birth canal. At around 3 pm, things began to pick up. I became very emotional. I spent the next 2 hours or so crying on and off, both apologizing for taking away from Thea being an only child and realizing my next dream of growing my family was about to come to fruition. I remember just sobbing. I was really at a pivotal crossroads where I felt like I was mourning being a family of three. I felt like I was truly betraying Thea and the only world she has known … one that I quite loved and enjoyed and cherished. At the same time, Brit and I have always dreamt and spoke of having a big family. It just never occurred to me how deeply and profoundly I would love my firstborn or how I would be able to love someone else as deeply and wholeheartedly as I did Thea. Ah yes, another familiar conversation many women will recognize and know who have birthed more than one baby.
i am in active labor here. my mom and dad to the left, brit and my midwife to the right. i used the tub more to labor against and on than in,
With Brit and my mom by my side again during this marathon, both were keenly aware and tuned in to my emotional state being an important ‘signpost’ of labor. I was in transition, usually the hardest and shortest stage of labor right before pushing begins. My contractions were consistent and strong, with many of them happening right on top of each other. Unlike last time, it never crossed my mind to even ask for or want an epidural. I just wanted to meet my son. I wanted to meet this sweet, and gentle, and patient little guy who I had been wishing for so long. We also learned that it was far less expensive to buy a birth tub (instead of rent) and we were pros at setting it up this time around. However, I have come to the conclusion that water births are just not for me. I have terrible, terrible back labor. When I have a contraction, the pain in my lower back is unbearable. The only way to counteract that kind of pain is counterpressure…hence the massage therapist. He is able to put an abundant amount of pressure on my back so that I can breathe through the contractions. When I am in the tub, he loses access to my back. So while we did invest in a birth tub and had the whole setup ready to go, and while I did try to labor in the tub again, it took me all of one contraction in there to know it was time for Plan B. The couch.
there were many times where i would have multiple contractions back-t0-back. brit was there to catch me every time.
And just like with Thea, I was assisted out of the tub and onto the couch. The same couch I delivered Thea on. I was ready. I was prepared. I was at about 8 and ½ centimeters when I felt the urge to push. So, I did. I only had a handful of contractions until I was finally at 10 centimeters dilated. I pushed and pushed and pushed. All the onlookers were in awe with seeing my bag of water bulge out when I would push and go back into hiding when the contraction was over. Could I do it? Could I be one of those mamas who delivers her baby in their bag of waters? It was another one of my dreams that could never be planned, and yet, here we were. Nathan was still in his bag of waters. Well, when you have been in a very slow-paced 12+ hours of early labor, followed by 3 hours of very fast, hard, active labor, all you want is the baby OUT. I told my midwife to break the bag. She did. With the next contraction, his head was out. I remember feeling the “ring of fire” and being done. I didn’t want to push anymore. I was tired. There was laughter all around me. The head was already out. There wasn’t much left for me to do and my midwife and team knew it. The final ‘signpost’ of my labor. Nathan was about to be born. And with one final push, my midwife grabbed Brit’s hands, and she delivered Nathan, our son, into this world. She plopped him right on top of me and there he was.
home birth in all its glory.
Nathan Henry Max was born on Saturday, August 15, 2020, at 6:40 pm, weighing 7 lbs, 13 oz, measuring 20 inches long. He was perfect. And that’s how and when we went from a family of three to a family of four.
welcome to the world, nathan henry max.
Memorable Moments of Nathan’s Birth and Other Post Labor Thoughts – Because remembering the whole thing in order and not in a heightened state with crazy hormones flowing is just not going to happen.
Apparently, I am the type of woman who curses like a sailor once I give birth to my babies. Some women cry ... but not me. I curse. A lot. But after pushing a HUMAN out of my VAGINA it’s the only thing that seems to make sense.
My early labor was very easy. I needed to concentrate on my contractions, but they were tolerable and easy enough to get through with the help of my team. I knew that if I kept moving around, changing positions, it would help move things along. Nathan had other plans. He was comfy where he was. But being able to go on the 2-mile hike was pretty special. My parent’s neighborhood is breathtaking and I felt deeply connected and grounded to my surroundings.
Brit was one of the last people to know I was in labor – again – as I knew she was going to be working just as hard and as long as I was. I needed her to be rested. After I woke my mom up and we alerted the team, then I woke and told Brit of the news.
Both my babies were born in the evening; and both on Saturdays.
Our Dynamic Birth Team
Midwife:
Leslie Stewart
Doula:
My Momma (Dr. Briar)
Photo and Video:
Rebecca and Lauren
Masseur:
Steve Oskard
In addition to our fabulous team, we had: Brit’s mom, who was in charge of feeding everyone, taking care of our dog, and being Brit’s support; Ilana, whom I have known for nearly my whole life and is my mom’s best friend, was in charge of being my mom’s support and delegating tasks, as she is always one (or two) steps ahead; our Cantor, who also made a debut at Thea’s birth, to play guitar and sing our babies out into this world, and my Dad and baby brother, who just wouldn’t have missed this occasion.
Our Birth Plan for Baby Boy
In case any of you are interested in what a birth plan can look like, and in particular, what our home birth plan looks like, we are sharing it with y’all as we just finished putting it together, now that our due date is just 3 weeks away.
In case any of you are interested in what a birth plan can look like, and in particular, what our home birth plan looks like, we are sharing it with y’all as we just finished putting it together, now that our due date is just 3 weeks away.
SURRENDER is the Name of the Game
Environment:
We are looking at creating a ‘Burke Williams’ - esque atmosphere. We want a serene, warm, soft, loving environment, leading to the celebration of our son’s birth day.
Our delivery is planned as:
Vaginal
Non-medicated
Water birth
Our Birthing Team:
Brit: wife, coach, partner supreme
Mom: doula extraordinaire
Dad: Extra hands, driver if needed, Thea’s caretaker if nighttime birth
Delaney/Eric/Marissa/Ari: Thea’s caretakers if day birth
Dana: food and drink
Dany: watch, feed and take care of Chloe
Ilana: Mom’s support
Annie: Brit’s support
Steve: masseuse
Rebecca and Lauren: production team
Blyss and Kim (her assistant): midwife team
During labor, we’d like:
The lights dimmed
Temperature of the house set to whatever my needs are in the moment
The room kept to a spa-level noise level
As few interruptions as possible
As few vaginal exams as possible
To wear my sleep bra and cotton shorts
For Brit and Mom to be present the entire time
To stay hydrated with water and OJ (over crushed ice)
To eat easy, calming foods (PB&J)
No cell phones once the photography/videography team arrive
One person ‘talking’ at a time to Sydney…there should be minimal voices/sound, unless Sydney is needing something or is being coached to surrender during contractions
Masks on … please!
I’d like to spend the 1st stage of labor:
Walking around
In the hot tub
Resting
Playing games: backgammon, cards, puzzling, etc.
I’d like fetal monitoring to be:
Intermittent
External
Performed if the baby is in distress
For pain relief I’d like to use:
Acupressure
Breathing technique
Guided meditation
Cold therapies (washcloth, ice)
Hot therapies (shower, steam, scented heating pads)
Massage
During delivery, I would like to:
Squat
Use a birthing tub
As the baby is being delivered, I would like to:
Push to comfort during contractions, listening to my body, and connecting with Baby Boy
Use a mirror to see the baby crown (if possible…may not be in water…)
Touch the head as he crowns (possibly…unless my body is working its wonder to push and have him emerge on his own)
Avoid forceps usage and vacuum extraction
Help catch the baby with Brit
Immediately after delivery, I would like:
The umbilical cord to be cut only after it stops pulsating
Brit to cut the umbilical cord
To deliver the placenta spontaneously and without assistance
To hold the baby immediately after delivery / have him placed on my tummy
To breastfeed as soon as possible / as soon as the baby has energy to do so
Sydney is adamant about seeing Baby Boy be weighed and measured
If a c-section is necessary, I would like:
To make sure all other options have been exhausted
To stay conscious
Brit to remain with me the entire time
The screen lowered so I can watch the baby come out
My hands left free so I can touch the baby
To breastfeed immediately
We Won a Family Photoshoot with Neide B Photography
An experienced photographer, although new to her own business, was looking to expand and diversify her portfolio. She is committed to showing all people and families of all colors, genders, sexual orientations…the works! Pretty awesome, right?
You guys … I am pretty sure we can all agree that 2020 isn’t quite what any of us expected or anticipated. There have definitely been more downs than ups and more uncertainty with what the future holds and looks like than ever before. However … Brit and I have done our very best with trying to find the silver lining when things get tough. And although we have had some profound moments of appreciation during this pandemic, we have also enjoyed some super random wins for our family.
Case in point? An experienced photographer, although new to her own business, was looking to expand and diversify her portfolio. She is committed to showing all people and families of all colors, genders, sexual orientations…the works! Pretty awesome, right? Well, she took to her Facebook community and asked a handful of the mommy groups to nominate a same sex couple with kiddos. Not only did strangers and acquaintances alike nominate us, we won! She actually chose us!
Now, of course our initial plan was to meet at the end of March in a beautiful National Park near where we live. But alas, COVID-19 had other plans. We stayed in touch and kept up to date with the most recent laws, regulations, and safety precautions, and FINALLY found a day, time, and place for her to capture our family. It was actually rather perfect. We went to an open park where not a sole was in sight and I was much further along in my pregnancy, making our moments with Thea even that more special.
Neide, of Neide B Photography, came prepared. She was masked and ready to go, along with her camera and cute lady bug fixture that squeaked to get Thea’s attention. And it worked perfectly. I don’t think the three of us have had such belly laughs before. I feel super fortunate that we have had so many opportunities to work with some of the most talented photographers and videographers in Los Angeles during this pregnancy.
Awaiting Baby #2
As we near the end of our second pregnancy with Baby Boy, we were gifted with an amazing opportunity from our birth photographer and videographer to document a moment in the life of our family of three before Baby Boy arrives.
As we near the end of our second pregnancy with Baby Boy, we were gifted with an amazing opportunity from our birth photographer and videographer. She came over one morning and just followed our family of three around for the day: from getting Thea dressed in the morning and checking on our chickens, to going for our morning walk and getting ready for nap time.
It was such a surreal time for us. It allowed us to be 100% present to Thea. We hope that one day when she sees this video and can understand the importance behind it, that she knows how much her Eema and I love her. We have had the biggest and best blessing in the world when we found out we were pregnant with Thea, and 19+ months later, that blessing has only grown. We can’t wait to watch Thea transform into her Big Sister roll. Although only time will tell, we are both hopeful and excited that she is will take to her new roll beautifully.
We love you so much Baby Girl and we can’t wait for our family of three to become a family of four.
Maternity Shoot for Baby #2
For our maternity shoot this second time around, we decided to step up our game and move from a studio shoot to a home shoot. As always, Anna delivered!
If you know me at all, you know I am all about doing my best to treat each of my babies with the same opportunities. That includes starting at the very beginning. Even though I was only pregnant less than two years ago, I obviously wanted to do another maternity shoot with Baby #2. It was also important for me to include Thea in the shoot … and although we do have some incredible shots with her in it, she was very uninterested. But that’s okay. It gave Brit and me time to be just us and have time with this baby bump. We hope you enjoy these truly magical captured moments as much as we do!
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining Nutritional Information
So I figured I’d put this post together because this information isn’t really out there and I feel like it should be. Gyu-Kaku is one of my favorite restaurants to go to. First off, Sydney loves to “do the cooking” which is nice on my end. Secondly, as someone who has been tracking her macros (macronutrients: Fats, Carbs, Proteins), I am usually always looking for ways to make sure I hit my protein goal, Gyu-Kaku, a Japanese BBQ restaurant is a great place when protein intake is needed. I also enjoy eating out but it’s common knowledge that eating out can be tricky while dieting. You could get a salad that you think is “healthy” but walk away having eaten an entire day’s worth of calories and then some! At Gyu-Kaku, I know if I pick a lean meat, I should be good.
So I figured I’d put this post together because this information isn’t really out there and I feel like it should be. If you’ve never been to a Gyu-Kaku BBQ restaurant, you should. Gyu-Kaku is one of my favorite restaurants to go to. First off, Sydney loves to “do the cooking” which is nice on my end. Secondly, as someone who has been tracking her macros (macronutrients: Fats, Carbs, Proteins), I am usually always looking for ways to make sure I hit my protein goal, Gyu-Kaku, a Japanese BBQ restaurant is a great place when protein intake is needed. I also enjoy eating out but it’s common knowledge that eating out can be tricky while dieting. You could get a salad that you think is “healthy” but walk away having eaten an entire day’s worth of calories and then some! At Gyu-Kaku, I know if I pick a lean meat, I should be good.
That being said, I still wanted to know the macros I was consuming and hated I had no clue except for their calorie count printed on their menu. So I reached out to their corporate office and asked for a nutritional breakdown…and they came through! Woohoo!
When I go to Gyu-Kaku my typical order is a house salad and 2 orders of Bistro Hanger Stake, maybe a side of rice if it looks like I have room in my macros for the day. When going into the restaurant all I knew was that the salad was 180 calories, the meat was 180 calories per portion and the rice would vary as I would weigh it out and enter into MyFitnessPal (because yes, I carry a pocket scale in my purse and I’m a bit cray..but that how I fit it into my macros for the day).
So is it healthy? Lets look
The salad breaks down as 15 grams of fat, 9 carbs, 2 protein. That comes to 179 Calories.
The Bistro Hanger Stake breaks down as 10 grams of fat, 0 grams of carbs, and 21 grams of protein. And remember I get 2 orders so lets double all these numbers to equal 20 grams of Fat and 42 grams of Protein.
In total, we are looking at 35 grams of fat, 9 grams of carbs and 44 grams of protein for a total of 527 calories and this is without my rice option.
To me, 527 calories are pretty low but those fats are really high. I usually have around 50 grams per day so this is more than half in one meal. I tend to swap my carbs and fats as needed and keep my proteins the same. So if I knew I was going to Gyu-Kaku I’d probably plan to swap my carbs for some extra fats that day.
Here is the nutritional breakdown for you to look at. Anything shock you in a good or bad way? And remember, each location might have a slightly different menu so you might see something on this menu not offered at your restaurant.
My Year In Review: 5 Things I Either Did or Did Not Do.
Something happened this year that I’m pretty disappointed about. I usually sit down with Sydney and create how our year is going to look. It’s our goals written down on paper vs just living in our heads as “nice thoughts”. Well, for the first time in about 8 years, we didn’t do it.
Something happened this year that I’m pretty disappointed about. I usually sit down with Sydney and create how our year is going to look. It’s our goals written down on paper vs just living in our heads as “nice thoughts”. Well, for the first time in about 8 years, we didn’t do it. Thea was born in December and we kept saying we would do it but never did. Now it’s the end of the year and I have no idea if I accomplished what I wanted to or not. Did I achieve some awesome goals? Yeah. Sure. Did I leave anything on the table? Maybe! I have no idea how to track it. That’s a breakdown. So in order to not dwell on what I can’t control anymore, I’m just gonna apologize to myself (and Sydney) and move forward.
Even though we didn’t write anything down, we were still taking things on and building our future.
Flying from Los ANGELES to Boston
1. We were aggressive with our savings and were able to save over $80,000 (between cash, 401k, Roth IRA and Brokerage) while still enjoying life. I’m not sure what others save, but this was a huge accomplishment for us. I started listening to the ChooseFI podcast and was literally taking action by Episode 4. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who has debt to pay off or saving goals to reach.
2. We traveled ... a lot! We went to Portland, Boston, San Francisco, Rhode Island, Kansas City, Arizona, Las Vegas (twice!), Utah, and New York City (twice!). We are definitely cutting back on travel this next year as Thea has become much more mobile and curious making us even more exhausted, and with a second baby on the way, it’s time for us to just relax at home. Well, except for the few road trips we already have planned and our trip to Toronto we have already booked, which we did through travel hacking. If you’ve never heard of travel hacking before, listen to Episode 9 of the ChooseFI podcast. It explains everything, but, to summarize what it taught us, we booked 2 first class, round trip tickets on Air Canada for $180 (including travel insurance) and we plan to travel hack our hotel stay once we figure out all the details.
2018 vs 2019 at 4th of July, Exact same weight but with weight lifting and macro counting.
3. I wanted to lose weight and get strong. This is kinda funny because I switched my training from a mostly cardio based routine to zero cardio and instead went to 100% weight lifting and something strange happened. My scale didn’t move. But my clothes started to get really big on me, my muscles started to have definition, and my face looked skinner in pictures (cause that’s what is really important 😆🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️). What I learned was when you lift weights (and eat right—I tracked my macros), you will burn fat but the scale might not move if you’re putting muscle weight on. I’ve always known that. I’ve seen the 5 pounds of fat vs 5 pounds of muscle display a million times but to see it in real life, was eye opening. The holidays have thrown me a bit — a lot — off my track but I plan on hitting the new year running ... or well, lifting.
4. I wanted to make more YouTube videos. I have SOOOO many video ideas in the notes app of my phone and we just have not done it. It goes back to not putting it existence — aka writing it down and making a plan. I feel like that’s something I need to schedule into my week because if it’s not there, it’s not going to be managed. Moving into 2020, I want to be more active on our Sharon Moms channel.
5. And in November we bought a house — cue the panic attack and pop the bubbly 😂! It basically means we’re real adults now. It’s nerve-racking and exciting and we’ll have more to share about it in the future. But basically this is one of the goals we created and set out back in 2018 when we chose to rent out our amazing condo and move in with Sydney’s parents.
In May of 2018, Sydney and I were having lunch in Brentwood and I randomly thought “What if we just move in with her parents and save as much money as possible?” I remember immediately thinking, “Do I want to say this out loud? What if she likes this idea and it actually happens happens?”. Then I said it. And Sydney liked it. That night she had dinner plans with her parents and I had an event to go to. When I got home she excitedly told me “my parents love the idea!” and my response was “what idea?”. So apparently Sydney hadn’t stopped thinking about what I said and by June we were packing up 10 years worth of stuff into boxes.
Originally my biggest concern was we were going to move and have nothing to show for it at the end. If we spent the $1,200 to move (yes, we used a moving company), spent 2 years living with other people in their house and weren’t able to save any money, I’d be really disappointed. This was a generous opportunity and I didn’t want to blow it. Well, in October the interest rates dropped and we made our move (10 months ahead of our 2 year schedule!) and we are now proud first time homebuyers!
2020 is going to be a huge year. I can’t wait to see what’s to come. I plan to create my year with Sydney (maybe post it here just to share how we do it). What are some of your 2020 goals? Do you have a goal creating structure you use? I’d love to hear about it!
Yep. We Did It Again. Two Babies Under Two.
Brit and I are expecting Baby #2. We can’t wait to share our journey with you as we navigate pregnancy with a toddler.
Brit and I have been talking about wanting to grow our family for the past couple of months. But really, we’ve been dreaming of a big family since before we were even married. We have always talked about and dreamt of having a large family and the importance of having our children be close in age. We also created these weird social norms that we put on our own marriage, assuming we’d take turns and go back and forth between the two of us carrying. But then reality hit.
Brit wrote an articulate, beautiful, concise Instagram post a few weeks back regarding our choices. First of all, it is exactly that - OUR choice. What we decide to do with our family is really no one else’s business. Secondly, for people genuinely curious, we are always happy to share and be open books. For us, it doesn’t make sense for Brit to get pregnant right now. Aside from the fact that she just simply doesn’t want to (which really is reason enough), financially and physically it just doesn’t make any sense, and, I really want to be pregnant again.
That brings us to today. Today is Friday, December 6th. Although this particular post wasn’t published until only now, I wanted to write now - today - when all of my feelings and thoughts are at the forefront of my mind. A couple of weeks ago Brit and I began the IUI process again, meeting with our doctor, doing baseline ultrasounds, beginning my medication regiment, the works. On Tuesday, November 19th, we went in for the insemination. For those of you who have been following our journey since day one, you may recall that Brit couldn’t make it to my insemination the first time when I got pregnant with Thea. Well, this time was a bit different. Not only was Brit there, but she also pulled the trigger! That’s right, the doctor let her do it. Pretty cool, right?
So for the next 15 days, we just had to wait. And not stress. And not think about it. Still way easier said than done, but this time around wasn’t as bad as I was busy chasing Thea around, preparing for Thanksgiving, and throwing Thea’s 1st birthday party.
Those 15 days eventually came and went. I couldn’t stand not knowing. For those of you who know me well, patience is not one of my redeeming qualities. We had some time to kill so we headed to Target to buy a pregnancy test. I read the directions several times over in the bathroom to ensure the most reliable of outcomes. I kid you not, as I was peeing on the strip, I saw the indicator instantly make a bold ‘+’. I was shaking as I came out of the bathroom to show Brit. I figured I’d have to wait the 3 minutes. Nope. I was pregnant. It was clear as day.
The next couple of days we did the routine blood tests to track the amount of HCG in my blood to gage the accuracy of the at-home pregnancy test and ensure the quality of this tiny embryo. There it was again. My numbers were strong. I was indeed (still) pregnant.
Baby Sharon #2 Coming August 2020.
So why a blog post to share the news and not just a cutesy Instagram post? Well, if you can tell from our due date, we are still very early on in our pregnancy. We’ve decided to share the news now (instead of at the typical 13 week mark) for a few reasons.
I am most definitely in shock. I can’t believe it worked. Again. So quickly. Part of me feels guilty. I personally know of family and friends who have struggled to get pregnant. Straight and gay. And it just isn’t fair. Not that life is, but I think I assumed it would be difficult for Brit and I to have a family. And yet, here we are. We are two for two. Starting our blog and social media accounts for ‘The Sharon Moms’ has given me a front row seat to seeing other couples show their journey into parenthood. It is the purest form of vulnerability, another skill I am trying to work on.
This brings me to my second reason for sharing. A lot of couples wait until they are through their first trimester to announce the upcoming arrival of their little bundle of joy. Why? Aside from superstition, medically speaking, the odds of a miscarriage decrease significantly. The truth is, the more people you share good news with, does not increase the chances of something bad happening. It just doesn’t. And, if something bad or sad does happen, it would make me feel so much better having a community of people around me to support me.
So, there you have it! Brit and I are expecting Baby #2. We can’t wait to share our journey with you as we navigate pregnancy with a toddler.
10 Things I Learned As A Lesbian Mom
We've officially been parents for a year! Here are some of our thoughts and takeaways. Would love to know if anything resonates with you.
Being a mom for a year now has been such a crazy experience. Nobody can prepare you. It’s exhausting! Like really exhausting. But ultimately, I’d never change a thing about choosing to be a parent and choosing how we are raising Thea (co-sleeping, no pacifier, no bottle, etc.).
A few things I learned this year include:
Photo by kit karzen | @kitkarzen
Most people don’t mean to offend.
We were in Vegas for the 4th of July and hanging by the pool. Thea, as she typically does, stole the show. People wanted to meet her and ask about her age and just make sweet comments. One woman was with her husband and their huge group of friends visiting from Miami (I had been talking with the husband at the gym earlier that morning). The wife asked Sydney and I who the mother was. I responded with “we are”. She took a moment to process what I said and then said “oh, I didn’t mean to offend” and I told her it was totally fine. Then we all continued to chat (mostly about Thea).
What I can tell you is, I don’t mind if people need a moment to process our family structure. It’s “new” and I say new in quotes cause it really isn’t, but it is to most people. As long as there’s respect for who we are, people can process openly, inwardly, can ask us about it and it won’t offend me. I think visibility matters for LGBT people, including LGBT families and I’m willing to provide them with a teachable moment people may need.
2. The institutions I was nervous about recognizing me as a full parent surprised me! (In a good way)
As some may know by following our social media, Thea was hospitalized at 8 months because of a very severe fall. She had a skull fracture and was in PEDS ICU at UCLA’s Mattel Children’s Hospital for 3 days. When the accident happened, Thea rode in the ambulance and I followed in my car and arrived separately to the hospital. Upon arrival, Sydney was already with Thea in the emergency room and I had to give my ID to the security and he had to go in the back and confirm I was in fact who I claimed to be and I saw the attending doctor wave me in. I was nervous waiting during those moments as I didn’t know if they would acknowledge me as the mother since Thea was already with one of her mothers, but it was a non-issue.
Then throughout the night while in the emergency room and medical transfer to UCLA’s Mattel Children’s Hospital and our 3 day stay there, we had no issues at all regarding our family structure. It was a blessing knowing the amount of stress we were under that we didn’t have this added, unnecessary stress to deal with.
3. I don’t need to be the breastfeeding mother to bond with my child.
I had a few people in my life tell me that Sydney would easily bond with Thea because she’s breastfeeding her and that I needed to be prepared to find our form of bonding. I thought that was a strange limiting belief to put on me and I kind of shrugged it off without letting it bother me (aka: I forgot about it until I overheard Sydney speaking with a friend about how tight of a bond Thea and I have). Here’s what I discovered this year: I’m bonded to Thea. END OF STATEMENT. By virtue of being her mother, we are bonded. I have never loved and wanted to protect someone as much as Thea.
4. I’m not the “dad” in the situation. I’m the mom.
This statement probably bothers me just as much as when people either seriously or jokingly say “so who’s the man in the relationship?”. It’s so ignorant. I’m the mom. I really shouldn’t have to explain it any more than that but for those who still don’t get it, let me elaborate:
Since I identify as a women and a parent: I’m a mom. I don’t need to have birthed a child to have a motherly connection to a child (just ask the millions of mothers who have adopted or raised children they did not birth). In addition, when someone says I’m ‘the dad’, you’re telling me that family structures can only be one way: a mom and a dad. I reject that. Sydney and I are a perfect example of two moms raising a child. I don’t need you to impress your limits on me. Thanks, but no thanks.
5. Thea is such a special little girl.
Watching Thea see or do something for the first time is so interesting to me, like when she discovered what a ‘ceiling fan’ is and how it can be turned on or off. The first time she said a word or started to crawl or took a step, it blew my mind! Why is it so impressive?
6. I want Thea to go to female doctors.
This was kind of random and only became true after it was spoken. Sydney wanted to interview a few different pediatricians and I requested she find female doctors. Sydney was confused about the request and so I explained: I want Thea to have a female doctor so that unconsciously she would be exposed to professional women in all different environments. Basically, I didn’t want her think women were only school teachers and men are doctors. Thankfully, we found an amazing pediatrician that multiple people in our community recommended, and we have been very happy.
7. I want to befriend other same-sex parents.
I realized this year through conversations with Sydney that it’s important to us that Thea grow up knowing other families that looked like hers.
At the Beverly hills public library
Although we know a lot of gay people, finding other same-sex couples with young children isn’t the easiest. So one of the things I’ve done to support this is starting the Facebook group Gay Moms as a way for LGBTQ parents to connect.
8. I’ve never been more tired in my life.
I’m not joking.
Thea was an amazing sleeper for the first 4 month, sleeping about 10-12 hours each night. Then she got sick and had a stuffy nose and that stopped happening and a new habit had formed after just one week.
Around six month she started waking up around 2 am and being excited to play…this killed us. Sydney was ready to stop co-sleeping and start sleep training, two things I know she wasn’t committed to.
As Thea reaches her 12 month mark, her habits are starting to change and develop again. She’s sleeping through the night and so are we.
9. I am parenting differently.
I didn’t expect it, but I also shouldn’t be surprised by this. I’ve always lived my life going against the grain of social norms, always lived my life by my rules— why would parenting be any different?
What am I doing that’s so different? It’s not a lot of things and it’s also not that significant, but If you believe in the aggregation of marginal gains (as I do) and apply it to parenting, ultimately, it will produce a child that is not just physically healthier, but emotionally sound, content, and at peace.
It started with Sydney and I choosing to approach pregnancy and childbirth using The Bradley Method which encourages moms to eat a high protein diet as well as have a natural birth, which Sydney did and you can read/watch our video about HERE.
From the beginning, we have chosen to co-sleep and not sleep train, exclusively breastfeed, never introduced a bottle or formula, never introduced a pacifier, approached food as play and not nutrition (since she was breastfed; some may call this babyled but honestly, I never looked into babyled so I’m not 100% sure).
Thea on her birthday
Thea’s schedule has always been very fluid, depending on her. Her naps were anywhere from 10 am to 2 pm, for either 30 mins or 2 hours. She’s now pretty consistent with when she goes down for a nap but we let her figure it out and we just follow her lead—although we would usually prefer those 2 hour naps.
10. I think I’ve done pretty good for never doing this before.
I can’t believe it’s been a year since we met Thea. I can’t believe I only changed my first diaper a year ago—I feel like I’ve been doing it my whole life.
As the youngest of all my cousins, I was never really around babies much growing up. Yes, there was the occasional baby I met but that’s all. I never really needed to be quiet cause the baby was sleeping or have dinner with a baby at the table so becoming a parent was a radical life change for me. I think for being new and novice to the world of babies, I think I’ve done a pretty good job. I learned a lot in our Bradley Method class’ and Thea teaches me each and everyday.
Thea's Cake Smash
A picture is worth 1,000 words — or so they say. I am currently speechless, as the one and only Anna Frenkel of Breezy Ann Photography has done it again. We have used Anna three times now — for our maternity shoot and newborn shoot — and now, again, for Thea’s 1st birthday cake smash.
A picture is worth 1,000 words — or so they say. I am currently speechless, as the one and only Anna Frenkel of Breezy Ann Photography has done it again. We have used Anna three times now — for our maternity shoot and newborn shoot — and now, again, for Thea’s 1st birthday cake smash. As I told Brit after Anna had left our home on the day of the shoot, the morning sickness, stretch marks, contractions, and sleepless nights have all been worth the experience I had in that last hour. You just can’t put a price on capturing memories. Thankfully we have this amazing space to utilize at our advantage so we don’t have to choose just one photo to showcase, but A L L of them! We hope you enjoy these as much as we do.
P.S. Where oh where has the time gone?
